What are the responsibilities and job description for the Workforce Development Specialist position at The Doe Fund Inc?
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Are you ready to embark on a new career endeavor?
Join The Doe Fund on our mission to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and recidivism.
Our flagship Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) program provides paid transitional work experience, transitional housing, advanced occupational training, and comprehensive supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Doe Fund is also one of New York City’s largest nonprofit developers of permanent, affordable, and supportive housing, with more than 1,900 units in operation or pre-development. The organization has an annual operating budget of $80 million and a full-time staff of nearly 500, a significant portion of whom are graduates of our programs.
We are currently seeking a Workforce Development Specialist (WDS) to join our dynamic team. The WDS is responsible for facilitating workforce readiness classes, supporting individualized job search coaching, and fostering long-term employment retention and career advancement for RWA participants.
This position is based at one of The Doe Fund’s program sites but may require occasional travel to other program locations for recruitment events, employer engagement activities, trainings, and special initiatives.
This is an in-person position (5 days/week) scheduled 9:30 am-5:30 pm/10:00 am-6:00 pm
Key Responsibilities:
Facilitation & Client Engagement
- Facilitate workforce readiness classes, including Career Essentials and other employment-focused workshops designed to prepare participants for successful workforce entry and advancement.
- Facilitate on-site Career Club sessions one to two times per week to support participants with job search activities, employment applications, resume development, interview preparation, and career exploration.
- Meet regularly with an assigned caseload to provide individualized job search coaching, resume refinement, interview preparation, and professional development guidance.
- Assist participants with employment applications, job search activities, career exploration, and employment readiness planning.
- Support participants in developing realistic career goals and connecting to employment opportunities aligned with their interests, skills, and experience.
Program Integration & Collaboration
- Partner with Case Managers and Program Directors to coordinate participant progress and ensure wraparound support.
- Collaborate with Education and Occupational Training and Legal Services to support participants’ connection to employment and reentry resources.
- Attend and contribute to weekly case conferences, staff meetings, and team huddles.
- Support mock interviews, corporate engagement events, and volunteer-led professional development activities.
Graduate Services & Retention
- Provide graduate case management to promote employment retention, housing stability, and sobriety milestones.
- Conduct retention outreach for one year post-graduation and verify employment and housing documentation in CTDB.
- Maintain up-to-date graduate data and ensure consistent engagement through alumni communication and follow-up.
Data Systems & Documentation
- Accurately document client interactions, case notes, and outcomes in CTDB.
- Maintain up-to-date trackers for job search appointments, graduate services, and retention milestones.
- Support data integrity and assist with report preparation for leadership and funders.
Training & Professional Development
- All new Workforce Development Specialists participate in a structured onboarding program designed to build knowledge, confidence, and independence. Training includes an overview of the RWA program, observation of Career Essentials classes and Career Club sessions, job readiness facilitation practice, case documentation in the client tracking database (CTDB) system, and retention outreach procedures.
- The Doe Fund also partners with outside organizations to provide continuous professional development opportunities that strengthen facilitation skills, workforce best practices, and participant engagement strategies.
- Other Duties as assigned.
What We Offer
We provide a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid participation in a retirement plan
- Paid sick, vacation, and holiday leave
- Discounted gym memberships
- Professional development and training opportunities
The Ideal Candidate
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
- Two to four years of classroom facilitation or workforce development experience
- Passion for motivating participants to secure and retain employment
- Sensitivity to individuals with significant re-entry barriers (homelessness, conviction histories, addiction recovery)
- Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Flexible, creative, and solution-oriented with a collaborative approach
- Willingness to support occasional evening or special events, employer engagement activities, and program initiatives as needed
Interested?
Submit your application for review.
Before you go, we want to assure you that we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace reflective of individuals who share our mission and who want to join us in working on the cutting-edge of important social issues.
We are an equal opportunity employer and we highly encourage applications from candidates regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
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